Cannabis License Info

Updated: August 2022

Effective November 1, 2018, the UK legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Recreational marijuana, also commonly referred to as “adult use” cannabis to distinguish it from medical marijuana, is not legal in the UK.

The UK still classifies cannabis as a Class B controlled drug. This means that anyone possessing cannabis can face up to five years imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both unless they have a Home Office license. Anyone caught supplying and producing cannabis can face up to 14 years imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both unless they have a Home Office license.

While medical cannabis is technically legal, it is rarely prescribed. Specialist doctors can only prescribe cannabis for individuals with health conditions that other treatments do not help. Examples of such health conditions include:
● Severe epilepsy
● Chemotherapy side effects
● Multiple sclerosis

Even if an individual is prescribed cannabis, accessing it is an obstacle due to supply issues. In May 2022, after a trip to a cannabis establishment in Los Angeles, London’s mayor announced the formation of the London Drugs Commission to examine the UK’s drug laws and explore the decriminalization of cannabis.

Below you will find information regarding the UK’s medical cannabis licenses. We keep this page up-to-date when new information becomes available. Please note that this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.

General Definitions

Dispensaries Cultivators Manufacturers

Dispensaries sell cannabis and cannabis products in a legal, regulated setting.

What kind of point-of-sale do I need to operate a Dispensary?

Most states require dispensaries to track and trace all of their cannabis-related products for regulatory and compliance reporting requirements. Our Dispensary Point of Sale and inventory management system provides comprehensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking with a focus on compliant data points.  If your state requires seed-to-sale systems to stay compliant, BioTrack has you covered.

Cultivators, also commonly referred to as growers or producers, are responsible for growing cannabis. Once harvested, mature plants are transferred to manufacturers.

What kind of tracking system do I need to operate a Cultivation Facility?

Most states require an extensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system to monitor cultivation efforts and inventory.  Our cultivation seed-to-sale-tracking solution provides comprehensive data tracking with an emphasis on compliance.  BioTrack also features an all-in-one business tool to help you operate every aspect of the cultivation business by itself, or as part of the vertically-integrated cannabis business.

Manufacturers—also known as processors—take harvested cannabis from cultivators and create derivative extracts for edibles, concentrates, topicals, and prepacks. Once finished, their products are transported to dispensaries.

What kind of tracking system do I need to operate a Manufacturing Facility?

Most states require an extensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system to monitor cultivation efforts and inventory.  Our processing seed-to-sale-tracking solution provides comprehensive data tracking with an emphasis on compliance.  BioTrack also features an all-in-one business tool to help you operate every aspect of the cultivation business by itself, or as part of the vertically-integrated cannabis business.

The U.K.’s Licenses

License Information

The licensing processes for cannabis businesses in the UK are complex and require specialist advice to understand and navigate.

The UK’s Home Office accepts cannabis business applications from companies and individuals in England, Scotland, and Wales who seek to cultivate, manufacture, supply, import, export, and possess cannabis.

There are two licensing processes: one for cultivating and possessing high-THC cannabis, and one for cultivating and possessing low-THC cannabis.

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